GSA releases Final Environmental Assessment for Porthill Land Port of Entry expansion and modernization project in Idaho

June 17, 2024

TACOMA, Wash. – In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Assessment [PDF - 41 MB] and Finding of No Significant Impact [PDF - 315 KB] for the expansion and modernization of the Land Port of Entry in Porthill, Idaho. 

The Porthill Land Port of Entry processes personal vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and limited commercial traffic at the U.S-Canada border. Existing Land Port of Entry facilities cannot accommodate the current staff and operations. Traffic flow through the port is inefficient, which causes congestion and delays in processing times. 

The port expansion and modernization project, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will enhance Porthill’s operational efficiency and capability. The new, modern and energy-efficient facilities will meet the government’s mission requirements and improve the travelers’ crossing experience.

GSA addressed public feedback received during the public comment period held January 4 through February 6, 2024, which included a virtual public hearing on January 16, for the Draft Environmental Assessment. The Final Environmental Assessment evaluated a range of alternatives for this project including:

• taking no action;
• the construction of a small port prototype with partial demolition of the original facilities; and
• the construction of either a one-story (Option A) or two-story (Option B) small port prototype and full demolition of the original facilities.

The Finding of No Significant Impact identifies the preferred alternative as the construction of a two-story, small port prototype with full demolition (Option B). The Finding of No Significant Impact also discusses that none of the impacts of the proposed action would be significant and determines that an Environmental Impact Statement does not need to be prepared.

The Final Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and project-related communication are available at the project website: www.GSA.gov/Porthill. 

Comments related to the Final Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact or other project details may be submitted to Melissa Hibray, GSA Capital Project Manager, at PorthillLPOE@gsa.gov and should include “Porthill Final EA” in the subject line of the message.

This announcement is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, focused on growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov.